The use of wireless building-control systems is growing, and will continue to do so through 2020.

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Worldwide revenue from wireless control systems for building automation will reach $294.8 million by 2020, according to a recent report from Navigant Research.

“While wireless controls are generally more expensive than their wired counterparts, they offer building owners and managers a number of economic benefits,” Bob Gohn, senior research director, Navigant Research, said. “The labor costs for installing wireless systems are much lower compared with wired, and wireless systems often provide networked control in buildings or areas where wired controls are simply too challenging or expensive to install.”

The adoption of standards-based technologies, such as ZigBee and EnOcean, is increasing, but most wireless devices and control networks continue to use proprietary, vendor-specific wireless radio frequency technology, which ensures device interoperability and ease of installation and operation. Some vendors have adopted a hybrid approach, according to the report, using standards-based technology for the physical layer, media access control, and networking layers of a wireless network while developing their own proprietary applications for managing and controlling data.

The report, "Wireless Control Systems for Smart Buildings", examines the state of the global wireless commercial building controls market and provides forecasts through 2020. Including market analysis and forecasts for HVAC, lighting, fire & safety, and security & access controls, the report covers the development of both propriety and standards-based wireless technologies and details the market drivers and barriers for each. The forecasts are segmented by region and by technology, and the report includes profiles of more than 20 key industry players, including building controls manufacturers and integrators. An executive summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

Navigant Research provides market research and benchmarking services. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.